Tyrick Mitchell deserves a run to prove he can be number one left-back at Crystal Palace

BY SAM SMITH

Tyrick Mitchell’s performance against Manchester City should afford him the opportunity to prove in the remainder of this Premier League season that he can be first-choice left-back for Crystal Palace next season.

The 21-year-old had not featured in the seven matches before the champions-elect arrived in SE25.

There could not have been a tougher opponent to face as Mitchell started for the first time since the 2-1 win at Brighton on February 22.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side was a difficult reintroduction to senior football, though he coped well both defensively and offensively. If he can continue at that level of performance then he will not only permanently replace Patrick van Aanholt, but also save Palace vital transfer funds if the Dutchman leaves when his contract expires in the summer.

It is to Mitchell’s credit that City right-winger Ferran Torres had much more success when he drifted inside during the second half, having been nullified by the 21-year-old when he stayed further wide in the opening period.

Torres scored the second goal from a central position, collecting a loose ball before curling past Vicente Guaita. In the space of 90 second-half seconds, an impressive defensive performance with Mitchell at the heart had been torn apart.

Having not played due to a muscular injury suffered in the aftermath of his last appearance, Mitchell would be easily forgiven for playing cautiously, conservatively sticking to his position and not wandering forward.

But instead the former Brentford prospect was adventurous and was at times a key attacking outlet.

Van Aanholt may offer a more potent goal threat, despite failing to score this season, but Mitchell is quickly improving in the final third.

He is a better crosser and seems more comfortable on the ball than the former Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka did at a similar stage in his development.

A tough tackle on the halfway line in the first half led to Mitchell surging away and delivering an excellent cross. On another occasion he drove forward and passed to Ebere Eze, who created some space before shooting well wide.

Mitchell’s five attempted dribbles were the most of any player on the pitch. The only Palace players to better his 31 passes were Eze (41) and Luka Milivojevic (32).

Defensively, he successfully completed two of his four tackles. His overall whoscored.com rating of 7.3 was the best of any of his team-mates.

Van Aanholt’s defensive capabilities have long come under scrutiny. The Dutchman had replaced Mitchell after the latter’s first injury of the season, suffered in October, but was then at fault for goals in disastrous defeats at Liverpool (7-0) and Aston Villa (3-0).

Mitchell won his place back but another injury meant that he had not played since that victory on the South Coast.

Palace have looked much more comfortable defensively when Mitchell has played ahead of Van Aanholt. That was perhaps in Hodgson’s thinking when he selected the team.

“In the couple of games we’ve played against them he’s done extremely well,” explained the Palace boss in his pre-match press conference. “He’s the right type we think for this game, so he deserves a chance.”

It has been a peculiar start to senior football, not least because he is yet to play in front of a crowd, but Mitchell has largely coped well. With Van Aanholt likely to depart when his contract expires in the summer, there is sense in allowing the youngster to start the final five games of the season.

Injuries have prevented Mitchell from having a consistent run of appearances. While his performances in one-off matches have been impressive, how well he performs over a longer period is a better indicator of whether he can cope with being a regular Premier League full-back.

That Mitchell has often played against the tougher teams is evidence that his defensive qualities are deemed to be more valuable than his competitor.

Likewise, Van Aanholt has played when the Eagles have wanted to counter-attack.

“He [Mitchell] got injured, and Patrick got back into the team because he is also a very good left-back, which meant he kept Tyrick out,” the Palace boss concluded after Mitchell had displaced Van Aanholt following the Christmas period. “We are very fortunate to have such good quality left-backs vying for the same position. It has to be quite a subjective decision at times when choosing which one to play.”

But Mitchell’s performance against Manchester City means he should now be first choice for the rest of the season.

A long-term contract signed last month proves he has a bright future at the club. Should he prove he can play consistently at top-flight level and replace Van Aanholt then Palace will have their left-back position sorted for the foreseeable future.